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School officials in Columbus, Ohio, announced plans to open a foreign-language high school next year that will begin with about 200 ninth-graders learning French, Spanish and possibly Chinese. With a goal to eventually enroll 800 high-school students, the district plans to draw students from its French and Spanish immersion academies as well as attracting other students through its alternative-school lottery. Students at the school would be able to enroll in an immersion track or a non-immersion track that would offer an international focus.

Related Summaries

Some high schools in Ohio are thinking globally about education with the expansion of foreign-language courses, and including elements of people's culture, as the world becomes increasingly connected. Some schools offer French, Spanish and Russian classes, with opportunities for students to enroll in foreign-language courses at local colleges. The theme of globalization also is included in high-school business courses.

While some in Glasgow, Scotland, have raised concerns over a lack of foreign-language teaching, one secondary school is the exception to the rule, catering to students from varied backgrounds and who have an interest in foreign-language instruction. In August, the school plans to begin offering a fourth language -- Russian -- besides French, Spanish and German.

Legislation being considered by lawmakers in Michigan would eliminate foreign-language studies from the state's high-school graduation requirements. However, a recent survey finds that foreign-language immersion programs already are declining in other districts nationwide -- particularly those in poor and rural areas. Supporters say the bill would benefit students who are focused on technical careers, rather than college, but opponents, including the Michigan Department of Education, cite the benefits of foreign-language education.

An Ohio middle school is helping students learn American Sign Language with weekly after-school classes and a new ASL club. The club was formed just after the enrollment this year of a student with hearing impairments who needs a full-time ASL interpreter to attend the mainstream public school. The district is considering adding ASL as a high-school foreign-language course, a curriculum official with the district said.

An Ohio school district plans to expand its foreign-language programs in Spanish and Mandarin. This year, the district will offer high-school credit to eighth-graders who take Spanish. Two years ago, the district was one of the first in the Cincinnati area to offer classes in Mandarin. A spokeswoman said that the district plans to eventually offer Mandarin in second through fourth grades and Spanish in first through eighth grades.